NEWS

Feds stopped sending additional SNAP aid to needy families; what that means for Bucks County

Damon C. Williams
Bucks County Courier Times

The recent end of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program's emergency allotment not only put further stresses on the roughly 40,000 Bucks County residents that have come to rely on it, it has had the tremor effect of impacting local food pantries.

"We have heard from food pantry volunteers and workers, and they are all upset about this change," said Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger Community Educator Alison Volz. "They see the impact on people's ability to feed themselves and their families.

"People are scared and frustrated by what's going on."

What happened to SNAP's emergency allotment?

Congress in March 2020 authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture to institute the Emergency Allotment disbursement plan, as a way to help families and individuals already receiving assistance with the additional food insecurity wrought by the pandemic.

Congress did not renew the Emergency Allotment, and the program ended in February. Meaning, beginning this month, SNAP recipients would only receive their usual, once-monthly disbursement.

"It means that not only will people get a smaller amount," said Volz, "but instead of getting two payments they would only receive one at the start of the month, which can also impact how people spend and budget."

SNAP recipients received the allotment — at least $95 a month and, in some cases, as much as $250 monthly — based on family size.

Food deserts in Bucks County:Do you live in a food desert? These 14 Bucks neighborhoods noted for lack of food choices

"Without the Emergency Allotment, the average SNAP benefit is about $6.10 per day, and frankly, that's not enough for people to eat and survive on," Volz said.

The Pennsylvania Center on Budget and Policy Priorities paints an even bleaker picture.

According to its data as of February, the average SNAP recipient receives $5.99 per day.

Eggs, livestock prices soar:Bucks County restaurant owners scramble to deal with record egg prices

Food Pantries in Bucks County step in, brace for impact

Food pantries throughout Bucks County are already seeing an increase in requests for food and support. At the same time, many pantry operators are requesting donations to meet the rising need.

Pastor Maeve Shurz, leader of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Feasterville which has operated a community food pantry for 20 years, said she has seen the impact on families of discontinuing the allotment.

"Most of the people that use our food bank are in their '50s and '60s," said Maeve, "but there is a single mother with five children who has expressed deep concern and fear about her ability to feed her family."

Workers stock the food pantry at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Feasterville. Church leader Pastor Maeve Schurz says she has seen an increase in need due to the end of SNAP Emergency Allotment disbursements.

Aside from the the main food pantry operation, St. Stephens' Lutheran Church also operates a community food pantry in the church parking lot.

"Members of our church and members of the community fill our little food pantry," Maeve said. "It is for our church community and the greater Feasterville community.

"But I am very disturbed, as pastor," Maeve continued. "Our mission statement it to feed God's people, and its one of our core identity markers and commitments — we expect to see a further uptick."

Major Duane E. Harris of the Salvation Army Levittown Corps said he has also witnessed an increase in food insecurity. The corps operates a food pantry on Tuesdays from 1 to 5 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger coordinates with dozens of food pantries in the region, and created an online tool to locate the nearest food pantry.

Part of Volz' responsibility with the Coalition Against Hunger is to educate and prepare people for the change, and to steer them toward helpful organizations.

"People call us because they are struggling to pay for food and there are other resources we can lead them to," Volz said. "The ending of the emergency allotment will make it harder for people to put food on the table."